Sen. Kane’s “Antiques Trail” Bill Heads to Gov’s Desk

A bill to create a Connecticut Antiques Trail, an effort to highlight the state’s numerous antique shops, passed the Connecticut House of Representatives Tuesday (June 4) and now heads to the governor’s desk.

Sen. Rob Kane (R-Watertown) proposed the legislation. In 2009, he worked with the state Department of Transportation to erect signs along Interstate 84 to highlight a collection of antique shops in his district.

The bill establishes a trail to identify and market Connecticut sites where antiques are sold. State economic development officials must identify and include in the trail major antique dealers, communities with a high concentration of antique dealers, and auction houses with annual sales over $ 1 million. The state must also promote the trail through signs, notices, and an internet website.

Kane said it makes sense to expand the trail statewide to connect more antiques dealers with collectors, likening his idea to the Connecticut Wine Trail.